I try to steer clear of borrowing from banks, if you don't have the money yourself then I would suggest maybe borrowing from friends or family (I can't believe I'm saying this!) but to keep things on a professional level, why don't you offer them an incentive to invest? Perhaps suggest offering them some cashback (plus a bit extra) at set periods of time.

I do have my own small business, but on a personal note this method has really worked out well for me, I asked my sister for some money when I wanted to do an extension to my small house, rather than going to the bank I asked my sister. She said she had some money in the bank which wasn't being used (she hadn't planned on using it for 2 years) and with the recession she isn't really getting alot of interest, she thought it would an idea for me to borrow it and return the money after 2 yrs on a monthly basis. I've now started the renovation work on my property! I intend to return the money to my sister with interest which will be higher than what she is currently getting with the banks. This just means I won't need to pay extortionates amount money to the banks!

One word of advice though, get it all down in writing!
I hope this helps.

I wouldn't borrow, especially for the risk of investing in an unknown return.

Equally, I would never lend again having been lied to and cheated by people I thought I could trust. I do understand business financing but it's not for me. Either I have the money to buy or I don't. Investments or expansions will have to be funded by the exiting business or not happen at all._________________http://britishexpat.com

I personally believe that bank is the best option but not the safest....safest is always the friends and family but then again professional and personal relations if mixed together create a lot of havoc........